A Keayang fest in the Terang Trotters Cup

Young western district horseman Paddy Lee stepped out of the shadows and etched his name in the harness racing history books training all three place getters in the Terang Trotters Cup. 

Lee harnessed up the $1.75 favorite Keayang Ignite along with the second elect Keayang Chucky ($4.40) and Keayang Xena ($51) in his home town cup. 

Keayang Xena trotted to the early lead however both Keayang Chucky and Keayang Ignite made mid race ventures for the lead in quick succession while Hesallmuscle dented his winning chances by galloping inside the first 400 metres. 

The move by Glen Craven to take a sit on Keayang Chucky proved to be a winning one as the son of Love You reeled in Keayang Ignite half way down the straight going on to score by four metres with Keayang Xena a metre away third. 

Craven knew Keayang Chucky would be in the finish after the five-year-old finished third behind Callmethebreeze and Just Believe in the Great Southern Star Final at his previous start. 

“We knew he’d go well and he stepped away really good and once the speed came out of the race we were able to pop around and get cover again, which is the best way he likes to race,” Craven said. 

But what of the 27-year-old Paddy Lee who doesn’t drive in races but is fast making a name for himself as an emerging trainer of trotters, boasting an impressive career winning strike rate of 23%. 

“I’ve been watching the trotters cup for a lot of years and it’s been something I’ve always wanted to win,” Lee said. 

“And to run first, second and third tonight is a great thrill,” he said. 

Lee said it was a career thrill when Keayang Chucky was placed in the Great Southern Star Final. 

“For Chucky to run third it felt like it was one of the best races I’ve ever won,” he said. 

“Growing up I just turned to the trotters and just loved them and to get the three of them ready for out trotters cup and alongside Mum winning the pacing cup it’s been a great family effort.” 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink